The six fixed-price areas, the prices of the stones are arranged in a trapezoidal pattern.

The lowest-grade stones require only one thousand Spirit Stones each, and one Spirit Stone can provide a regular mortal with enough to eat for a month. Although a thousand Spirit Stones is not cheap, it's not a big deal for someone in the Golden Core Realm. In the next five districts, the price doubles — two thousand Spirit Stones for the second district, four thousand for the third, and so on. The most expensive, the sixth district, costs thirty-two thousand Spirit Stones per stone.

These prices are indeed not cheap, even for someone in the Golden Core Realm, it's not a small amount to casually spend.

Of course, it's also very clear that the more expensive the stone, the greater the probability of containing a Treasure. With the cheapest stones in the First District, you might barely find one with a Treasure out of a hundred. And even if it has a Treasure, it's probably not anything valuable. Generally, the cheaper the stone you buy, the higher the chance of losing. Of course, there's always the chance of small gamble wins big, with many variables in the mix.

Xiao Yu and his group of five each selected a few stones from various districts, but their luck wasn't great as none of them managed to cut out a Treasure, each wasting over ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Other customers occasionally cut out some items, suggesting that treasures can indeed be carved from these stones and it's not just a scam.

Tangyu and Tuoba Kui didn't rush to make a move but instead were appraising the stones. Without any stones that attracted them, they obviously wouldn't strike. If they strike, they naturally want to cut a Treasure out, otherwise, it would be quite embarrassing.

"A Treasure has been cut!"

Suddenly, a scream rang out. Tangyu and the others looked over to see a mass of flames flying out from a split stone. If you looked closely, you would see that it wasn't just a mass of flame but a Fire Bead. The flames spewing from the Fire Bead were extremely terrifying; even from afar, a dreadful heat could be felt surging forth. Surrounding Cultivators involuntarily backed away, not daring to approach the Fire Bead.

"It's a Fire Dragon Bead, a Fire Dragon Bead has been cut out." Another surprised voice quickly followed.

Tangyu didn't know what a Fire Dragon Bead was, but he could see that it was indeed a good Treasure. At the very least, for someone at the Golden Core Realm, it was definitely a precious item. If the power of this Fire Dragon Bead were to be fully unleashed, it might even pose a threat to a Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Ninth Layer. So, upon seeing this Fire Dragon Bead, many people on site showed expressions of greed.

Suddenly, a strangely dressed Cultivator made a move to snatch the Fire Dragon Bead. The one who cut the Fire Dragon Bead was a Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Third Layer, with rather average strength. Surprisingly, the one who moved to seize it was a Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Sixth Layer. In terms of Realm, there was an overwhelming advantage. Seeing someone trying to snatch it, others also flashed with strange expressions.

"The Fire Dragon Bead is mine!" The Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Third Layer was immediately furious; the Treasure was cut by him, and someone dared to snatch it, he certainly wouldn't allow it.

"Impudent!" An angry voice came from deep within the stall, followed by a cold light shooting out, forming into Sword Qi that directly struck towards the Cultivator attempting to seize the Fire Dragon Bead. The Cultivator's face suddenly changed drastically, trying to block the Sword Qi, but found it impossible to stop. The Sword Qi reached him, causing him to be blasted backward with a massive bloody gash torn open on his body, blood gushing forth.

"Daring to wreak havoc in my Gambling Stone Workshop, die!" That dignified voice rang coldly again, with another burst of Sword Qi full of murderous aura, coming out unstoppably. Like a divine punishment, it instantly reached the Cultivator attempting to snatch the Fire Dragon Bead.

"No, no, spare me!" The Cultivator was utterly terrified, repeatedly begging for mercy, but it was already too late. This Sword Qi completely ignored his pleas, directly shooting down to destroy his spirit sea and shatter his Golden Core, killing him on the spot. A Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Sixth Layer was actually slain right there.

This scene shocked all the onlookers, making their hearts shiver with some secretly clicking their tongues. Quite a few who had similar thoughts were secretly relieved they hadn't made a move; otherwise, it really would be a dead end. Some Cultivators who knew the Gambling Stone Workshop's rules sneered; daring to cause trouble here wasn't a death wish?

Not knowing even this rule, he could only blame himself.

This scene also shocked the Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Third Layer heavily; he didn't come back to his senses for a while, then quickly expressed his gratitude, swiftly collected the Fire Dragon Bead, and promptly left. Of course, after he left, several ill-intentioned figures followed him.

This incident quickly calmed down, and the corpse of the Golden Core Realm Sixth Layer Cultivator was promptly taken care of by the Gambling Stone Workshop. The bustling atmosphere was restored.

Xiao Yu and the group of five were amazed: "How domineering, a Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Sixth Layer was killed just like that. This Gambling Stone Workshop seems to have tremendous backing?"

Tuoba Kui smiled and said, "Of course, this Gambling Stone Workshop is an industry jointly established by the South Sea Sect and the South Sea Glazed Sect, and it's a leading one in the South Sea. The entire gambling stone industry in the South Sea is basically controlled by the Gambling Stone Workshop. It can be said that the Gambling Stone Workshop is a major income source for these two supreme Sects. The two supreme Sects highly value the Gambling Stone Workshop, and anyone daring to cause trouble here would undoubtedly face death. The Gambling Stone Workshop's dignity is absolutely inviolable."

"The person who attempted the snatch just now was evidently an outsider, not knowing the rules here; otherwise, even given a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to snatch here. The one who intervened was a formidable Cultivator at the Golden Core Realm Ninth Layer, adept in carnage. I fear even if I faced him, I might not be able to win. Having such a formidable Cultivator guarding, nothing will happen here. So, everyone can feel assured to gamble, and the Treasures carved out have the Gambling Stone Workshop's credibility guaranteed, absolutely no one would dare snatch them."

"Of course, the Gambling Stone Workshop can only guarantee no snatching here; once you leave, it's out of their hands. For a good Treasure, one must have enough strength to protect it. Just like the fellow just now, merely at the Golden Core Realm Third Layer, he would find it hard to keep the Fire Dragon Bead. If he is greedy, he'd likely end up dead and destroyed in the end. If he was wise enough to immediately sell the Fire Dragon Bead to the Gambling Stone Workshop, that would be the best choice."

Xiao Yu shook his head after listening, "It really is cruel, the law of the jungle."

Tangyu smirked, "The law of survival is like this; it's indeed cruel but there's no other way. We can't change it, we can only adapt. Brother Tuoba, we've been watching for a while, it's about time to make a move, right?"

"Haha, we can make a move now," Tuoba Kui laughed.

Xiao Yu and the five others perked up immediately; they also wanted to see how Tangyu and Tuoba Kui's judgment fared and whether they could uncover some significant treasures.

In the Seventh District of the Gambling Stone Workshop, an old steward held up a stone as big as a washbasin, completely black, looking somewhat strange. However, upon closer inspection of this black stone, it seemed as if there was a stream of Spiritual Energy flowing within, as if some spiritual object was about to break through the stone. Such a phenomenon gave the impression that there must be some incredible spiritual object inside. So, the moment this stone was brought up, it immediately attracted many people's attention, many with an eager gaze to obtain it.

Tuoba Kui said, "Brother Tangyu, what do you think of this stone?"

Tangyu examined it closely but then shook his head, "It looks full of Spiritual Energy, but I always feel it's somewhat unnatural, as if deliberately set up. Still, this stone should be naturally formed, not man-made. Therefore, the chance of finding a significant treasure inside is still there. It's just that my intuition doesn't favor this stone; let me check again."

Tuoba Kui nodded, "Indeed, there could be both possibilities; I also feel the chances of it being bad are slightly higher, so let's put it on hold."

The elder steward smiled at everyone and said, "This Spirit Stone starts at ten thousand; each bid increase must not be less than two thousand Spirit Stones. Everyone, feel free to bid."

"Fifteen thousand."

"Seventeen thousand."

"Twenty thousand."

...

As soon as the elder steward finished speaking, a fierce bidding contest commenced, and the competition was intense. Such a scene deepened the smile on the elder steward's face.

In the end, this black stone was bought by a cultivator of the Seventh Level of the Golden Core Realm for fifty-six thousand Spirit Stones, and the elder steward began to cut it right away. According to the rules of the Gambling Stone Workshop, once the stone is bought, it's cut on the spot by their staff. Of course, if the buyer doesn't want it cut, that's also an option, entirely voluntary on the buyer's part. However, those who play with gambling stones certainly find it interesting to have it cut on the spot; otherwise, what's the point of taking it home? So, generally speaking, a purchase leads to an on-the-spot cut.

Once this stone was cut, only a Crystal Stone emerged, not even worth ten thousand Spirit Stones. Clearly, they incurred a significant loss cutting this stone.

Tuoba Kui laughed heartily, "Looks like our instincts are quite accurate."

The buyer was so furious he almost coughed up blood, having just lost fifty thousand Spirit Stones. The main thing was, he became the subject of much mockery. Playing with gambling stones is often about maintaining face. If you cut out a significant treasure, it would arouse envy; if you fail, naturally, it invites ridicule.

"Hm?" Tuoba Kui's gaze suddenly shifted, his brow furrowing.

Tangyu also looked over and saw six ominous figures approaching. These were the Six Wolves Cave Masters they had previously encountered. The aura they brought was intense, causing many people to instinctively give way and distance themselves from the Six Wolves Cave Masters.

The Six Wolves Cave Masters were notorious, and many immediately recognized them, keeping their distance out of fear and avoiding provoking these six menacing figures.

The Six Wolves Cave Masters glanced at others without much concern, finding an empty spot to stand. Clearly, they were also there to play with gambling stones. Their gaze was even directed towards Tangyu and Tuoba Kui. Upon seeing Tangyu and the others, the Cave Masters just gave a cold glance but did not speak further.

Xiao Yu and the five others visibly shivered at the steely glance from the Cave Masters, feeling like they were plunged into an icy cave—a very unsettling sensation, causing their faces to turn slightly pale.

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